No photo update

Hal writes:

Anna is currently taking a Winter Camping class at REI, so I am enjoying some free WiFi at the local Borders. (I started at Starbucks, but the had the audacity to ask me to pay for internet. Ha!)

My plan was to include photos from Dale and Bruce's visit, my parent's visit, and then a recent trip with friends to a pumpkin farm. Unfortunately, I forgot to bring the camera with and, since I am using Anna's MacBook that she has for work, I am not patient enough to take the time to learn how to copy and paste photos from Facebook. So, much like a parent to a child, I am encouraging myself to "use my words".

Anna and I are close to six months of being Internet and TV free in our house. Much like any other addition, the first couple of months were hard, and then the "relapse" came when fall shows started. The most common question we get about "livin' la vida Amish" is, "So, what is it you do?" Well, for those of you who are friends with me on Facebook, you can see that my virtual library is expanding with each book I read. Also, we have become more involved in community events and exploring the world in which we live. Within the next six weeks we have trips planned to the mountains for skiing, out to NC for Stef's wedding, and future plans for other adventures. We still have access to internet (at work, still need to pay the bills online) and we have a DVD player if needed (thank you, Redbox), so we are not totally cut off. Just trying to take things in moderation.

Ever since I have turned 30 I have been noticing that I have "old man moments". It can be something as simple as keeping a comb in my office (since when did I care if my hair is out of place?) or something large like not knowing prominent cartoon characters that my students grew up with (Dora the who? Sorry, I watched He-Man after school.) But a fun new endeavor that I have started is playing basketball during the noon lunch hour. When I was at GAC, I used to chuckle at the "old timers" playing basketball during noon. Characters like Coach Raarup or Bob and Rich from Admissions pounding the court for exercise in the middle of the work day. Who does that? Well, apparently this guy does... and I love it.

I figured out it has been 13 years since I last played basketball. It was forbidden for me at GAC (as a track athlete, can't twist an ankle in season) and I never had a reason to play since then. After two weeks of perfect attendance I rewarded myself with a $30 pair of Nike basketball shoes from a Nordstrom outlet. Now, the last time I played basketball I needed a size 14 for my 13.5 size feet, but this time, I walked away with size 15. What the heck? I know that I grew another inch since graduate school, but my feet decided to grow also. (Pretty soon the facial hair might kick in.) Now that I am fitted with proper gear (including my rotation of GAC t-shirts), I need to up my skills. I have found that my brain still knows when to pass, how to do a cross over dribble and do a pump fake before shooting, but the fine motor skills are a little rusty. In an effort to match up evenly, I am frequently guarded by the six foot women's basketball coach, and she figured out the first time I had the ball that I can only dribble with my right hand. Hm, time to post up more and not float in three point range. Better to stick with the higher percentage shot. I'm getting better, it only takes me 30 minutes to get winded as opposed to the 15 minutes it took the first week.

I am really enjoying my job. I have found a great fit for my strengths. Over the course of last week, this week, and next week, I will have met with 140 students in 30 minute sessions to help determine their next semester schedule. It does get repetitive at times: "yes, you received an e-mail with your registration time", "no, you can't have all classes staring at 10am or later", "sorry, the digital photography class was filled by seniors". But once you get past those frequent conversations, it is so much fun to hear what students are interested and find a unique schedule that meets their needs. It's like a puzzle to solve: each course is a piece and you have to find a way to make them all fit; not only for one semester, but in the big puzzle of college. Plus, I have all first-year students, so they have not yet learned to doubt what I say, so everything I utter is pure gold in their hands. Ta-da!

Well, Anna is almost done with her class, so I need to drive back to REI. Hope to post more pictures soon!